Sepsis
is a complex disorder with high morality. Overabundant inflammation
can result in organ dysfunction, leading to a series of diseases.
Drug delivery systems have improved drug efficacy and brought hope
for sepsis treatment. However, the usage of various inorganic and
organic carriers might increase the potential toxicity of nanoparticles
(NPs) and make their clinical transformation more difficult. Rhubarb and epimedium show good anti-inflammation
and metabolic disorder treatment potentials. A series of ingredients
that can form nanoscale particles without any additives were found
in rhubarb and epimedium decoction.
Based on pharmacological activity and cost-effectiveness consideration,
rhein and icariin were selected to self-assemble to construct NPs.
The prepared NPs show good anti-inflammatory properties and alleviate
ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. Further research has found that
the prepared rhein–icariin NPs (R–I NPs) mainly prolong
the survival time of mice by maintaining the kidneys’ function
in sepsis, which is consistent with the function of their formulation Compound rhubarb granule. The prepared carrier-free, safe,
and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-derived NPs show great potential
in drug delivery. This study also provides a safe and simple nanoplatform
to treat sepsis, which may pave a way to design TCM-derived NPs for
clinical translation.